Pilot may have sought to crash Israel-bound flight after stabbing other pilot, Netanyahu says
The Flydubai flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia after a struggle in the cockpit in what the Israeli PM called "a most serious security incident."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a pilot on a Flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv stabbed another pilot and attempted to crash the plane, leading to a diversion to Saudi Arabia. The incident caused the aircraft to plummet 17,400 feet in less than two minutes, as revealed by flight tracking data. Passengers and crew managed to subdue the assailant, who has since been arrested.
The event prompted a swift response from Israeli officials, with many praising the bravery of the passengers involved. Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, described the situation as an attempted jihadist terror attack, while the left-wing Democrats party leader, Yair Golan, expressed pride in the passengers' resourcefulness. Far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, called for a stronger security doctrine, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich emphasized the need to hold the perpetrator accountable.
The attacker was identified as the co-pilot, according to Israeli officials. No specific motivation for the attack has been disclosed by authorities at this time. Israel's former defense minister, Benny Gantz, noted the resourcefulness and courage displayed by the passengers, highlighting the resilience of the Israeli people. Danny Danon, Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, lauded the passengers for their determination and resourcefulness in preventing a major disaster.
Relatives of the stranded passengers informed CNN that most have boarded a substitute Flydubai flight to return home, while a few families have refused to board the new plane and insist on traveling only with an Israeli carrier. Israel is currently exploring the possibility of sending either a military or civilian plane to Saudi Arabia to repatriate the passengers, but Saudi Arabia has so far refused to allow Israeli planes to collect the stranded travelers.
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